Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 27 : 18-Sep-17

Fairfax Media and Seven West Media have declined to comment on suggestions that they commenced discussions regarding a potential merger prior to the recent passage of the Federal Government’s cross-media ownership reforms. Sources have stressed that any such talks are preliminary and may not result in a deal. However, a key issue could be Seven’s long-term debt of more than $A800m. Fairfax had previously held talks with Nine Entertainment Company, and the two had been widely touted as merger candidates if media laws were relaxed.

CORPORATES
FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, PACIFIC MAGAZINES PTY LTD, WEST AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS HOLDINGS LIMITED, MACQUARIE MEDIA LIMITED – ASX MRN, STAN ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD, DOMAIN.COM.AU, TPG CAPITAL LP, HELLMAN AND FRIEDMAN